Eberechi Eze is expected to be unavailable for a significant period after picking up a calf issue, raising concerns he could be out for up to six weeks. The 27-year-old sustained the injury during last week’s victory over Bayer Leverkusen, which immediately ruled him out of the Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City and forced him to withdraw from the England national team squad.
Initial assessments suggest a recovery timeline of roughly four to six weeks, although a definitive diagnosis is still pending. Mikel Arteta confirmed that the player will undergo further scanning to determine the exact severity of the problem.
The absence of Eze represents a notable setback for Arsenal, especially given the demanding run of fixtures ahead. With multiple competitions still in play, losing a key creative presence at this stage could impact the team’s momentum.
Ødegaard’s return offers timely boost
Despite the blow, there is cautious optimism surrounding the recovery of club captain Martin Ødegaard. The midfielder has been sidelined for around a month with a knee issue but is now targeting a return shortly after the international break.
Ødegaard will miss Norway’s upcoming matches against the Netherlands national team and the Switzerland national team as he prioritises regaining fitness. His potential comeback could help compensate for the absence of Eze in the attacking midfield role.
The timing of Eze’s injury, coinciding with the international pause, may reduce its overall impact. It provides the squad with a brief window to reorganise before domestic and European commitments resume.
A demanding schedule tests squad depth
Arsenal remain in contention across three competitions, making squad availability crucial in the coming weeks. Fixtures in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup will require careful management as Arteta navigates this challenging period.
Their next outing is an FA Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton on 4 April. In this tournament, rotation has been a consistent approach, which could again come into play as the team copes without Eze.
While the injury disrupts plans, the combination of the international break and Ødegaard’s expected return offers some balance. Arsenal will now look to maintain their push on multiple fronts despite the temporary loss of one of their attacking options.